Party at the Pond by Eve Bunting

Frog’s Party
    Frog liked fall.
    He liked it when the leaves from the trees fell into his pond.

    They were like little boats that sailed across the water.
    He played “boat races” with his friends.
    And also with himself.
    Sometimes a big leaf would drop and Frog could make a leaf hat.
    But the best part of fall was his fall party.

    Each year he asked his friends, Raccoon, Rabbit, Squirrel, Possum and her babies, to come. There was food to eat and there were games to play. And each one did a party trick.
    This year he also asked Chameleon.
    â€œWhy?” Rabbit asked when he told her.
    â€œChameleon lives by himself. I think he is lonely,” Frog said.
    â€œPlease do not ask him,” Raccoon said.
    â€œWe like the party the way it is. With just us.”
    â€œI do not want to be rude,” Frog said.
    â€œBut it is
my
party. And I am going to ask him.”

    On party day Frog dusted and cleaned.
    He gathered nuts and berries and some flies as a treat for Chameleon. And for himself.
    He made a leaf hat for each of his friends.

    The party was fun. They all looked spiffy in their leaf hats. Even Chameleon wore one. But he was very quiet. He did not join in the games.
    â€œHe is new and he is shy, that is all,” Frog said.

    When it was time for party tricks Raccoon did her juggling act.
    Possum did her “swinging-by-her-tail” trick. Her babies held on tight.
    Squirrel did his “jump-from-tree-to tree” trick.
    Rabbit did her “hop-skip-and-wiggle” trick.
    Frog did his “dive-with-somersault” trick.
    â€œYour turn, Chameleon,” Raccoon called.
    Chameleon did not look happy. He ran and hid in a pile of leaves.
    â€œYou do not have to do a trick,” Frog said kindly. He blinked. “Oh my, Chameleon! You have turned yellow.”

    Chameleon ran to another pile of leaves. He turned red.
    Everyone clapped.
    â€œThat is such a good trick,” Rabbit said.
    â€œHow did you do it?” Squirrel asked.
    â€œI do not know. I just did.” For the first time, Chameleon smiled.

    The party was wonderful. Everyone helped with the cleanup. Even Chameleon. Each time he changed color they stopped to clap.

    â€œIt is no big thing. I can do it because I am a chameleon,” Chameleon said. “I cannot do the tricks you do.”
    â€œWe are glad you came,” Rabbit said.
    â€œEven if you could not do that special trick.
    We like you. You are nice.”
    Chameleon smiled his biggest smile of all. “I like you, too.”
    Raccoon nodded. “I always say that it is good to make new friends.”
    â€œYou did not say that,” Rabbit told her.
    â€œI say it now,” Raccoon said.
    â€œShall we ask little Jumping Mouse to our party next fall?” Frog asked.
    â€œYes!” they all shouted.
    And then they lay on their bellies around the pond.

    They made leaf boats from their hats and played boat races till it was time to go home.

Frog Dance
    Frog was not a very good dancer.
    He liked to dance at night. When there was no one to see.
    He danced when he was happy.
    â€œTra-la-la-la-la.”
    He danced when he was sad. Dancing made him happy again.

    He danced when it was wet and rain dripped from the trees. “Spitter, spatter, splash. Lovely!”
    Frog danced to the moon and the stars and his shadow danced with him all the way to sunrise.

    One night he saw Rabbit watching him.
    â€œOh no!” Frog was embarrassed. He hopped into his pond and dived deep.

    Rabbit came to the edge of the still, dark water. “Frog, Frog, come and dance.
    When I am sad I watch you dance. Your dancing makes me happy again.”
    â€œGarrump, garrump!” Frog said, diving deeper.

    â€œFrog, Frog, come and dance,” Raccoon called. “When I am happy I watch you dance. Your dancing makes me even happier.
    Tra-la-la-la-la.”

    â€œWhen it is raining I come and watch you dance,” Squirrel said.